Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Precious Love’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Precious Love’, characterized by its upright plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; strong flowering stems; strong leaves; freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; purplish pink-colored flowers with darker purplish pink-colored stripes and venation; and good postproduction longevity.

Botanical designation: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘PRECIOUS LOVE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, andhereinafter referred to by the name ‘Precious Love’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the Inventor in Den Hoorn and Heemskerk, The Netherlands.The objective of the breeding program is to develop new fast-growing andfreely flowering Phalaenopsis plants with good leaf shape and largeflowers with unique and attractive patterns and coloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination inJanuary, 2011 in Den Hoorn, The Netherlands of a proprietary selectionof Phalaenopsis hybrida identified as code number ST 3970, not patented,as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection ofPhalaenopsis hybrida identified as code number ST 3676, not patented, asthe male, or pollen, parent. The new Phalaenopsis plant was discoveredand selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within theprogeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouseenvironment in Heemskerk, The Netherlands in August, 2017.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitro meristempropagation in a controlled environment in Assendelft, The Netherlandssince August, 2018 has shown that the unique features of this newPhalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successivegenerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been observed under all possiblecombinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. Thephenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditionssuch as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variancein genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘Precious Love’. These characteristicsin combination distinguish ‘Precious Love’ as a new and distinctPhalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.    -   2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.    -   3. Strong flowering stems.    -   4. Strong leaves.    -   5. Freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per        plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers.    -   6. Purplish pink-colored flowers with darker purplish        pink-colored stripes and venation.    -   7. Good postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the femaleparent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily fromplants of the female parent selection in flower color as plants of thenew Phalaenopsis have purplish pink-colored flowers with darker purplishpink-colored stripes and venation whereas plants of the female parentselection have light purple-colored flowers with little to no distinctvenation.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the maleparent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily fromplants of the male parent selection in flower color as plants of the newPhalaenopsis have purplish pink-colored flowers with darker purplishpink-colored stripes and venation whereas plants of the male parentselection have light violet-colored flowers without stripes and distinctvenation.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsishybrida ‘Gallery Play’, disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent applicationSer. No. 62/705,003 and in a U.S. Plant Patent application filedconcurrently having U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/339,960. Inside-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Phalaenopsis differprimarily from plants of ‘Gallery Play’ in flower color as plants of thenew Phalaenopsis have purplish pink-colored flowers with darker purplishpink-colored stripes and venation whereas plants of ‘Precious Love’ havepale purple-colored flowers with reddish purple-colored stripes andvenation.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can also be compared to plants ofPhalaenopsis hybrida ‘Good Karma’, disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patentapplication Ser. No. 62/705,003 and in a U.S. Plant Patent applicationfiled concurrently having U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/339,971.In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Phalaenopsis differprimarily from plants of ‘Good Karma’ in flower color as flowers ofplants of the new Phalaenopsis have less dense venation and stripes thanflowers of plants of ‘Good Karma’. In addition, the curvature of thelabellum is stronger in plants of the new Phalaenopsis than plants of‘Good Karma’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in thephotographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors ofthe new Phalaenopsis plant.

The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view ofa typical flowering plant of ‘Precious Love’ grown in a container.

The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view oftypical flowers of ‘Precious Love’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations andmeasurements describe plants grown during the late autumn in 10.5-cmcontainers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Heemskerk, The Netherlandsand under cultural practices typically used in commercial Phalaenopsisproduction. Plants were 18 months old when the photographs anddescription were taken. During the first twelve months of production ofthe plants, day and night temperatures averaged 27° C. During the finalsix months of production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20°C. to 22° C. and night temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 20° C. Duringthe 18 months of production, light levels ranged from a minimum of 5,000lux to a maximum of 10,000 lux. In the following description, colorreferences are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart,2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Precious Love’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida            identified as code number ST 3970, not patented.        -   Male parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida            identified as code number ST 3676, not patented.-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem propagation.        -   Time to initiate roots, summer and winter.—About two weeks            at temperatures about 28° C. to 30° C.        -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer and            winter.—About 20 to 25 weeks at temperatures about 28° C. to            30° C.        -   Root description.—Thick, fibrous; typically grey to green in            color; actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate            composition, water quality, fertilizer, substrate            temperature and age of roots.        -   Rooting habit.—Low amount of branching; medium density.-   Plant description:    -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; upright            plant habit with typically two inflorescences per plant,            each inflorescence with numerous flowers; monopodial;            moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit and moderate            growth rate.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About            14 cm.        -   Plant height, substrate level to top of            inflorescences.—About 46.2 cm.        -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 29.8 cm.-   Leaf description:    -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about            six leaves per plant.        -   Length.—About 14.6 cm.        -   Width.—About 6.4 cm.        -   Aspect.—Upright to outwardly arching.        -   Shape.—Narrowly obovate; slightly carinate.        -   Apex.—Unequal obtuse.        -   Base.—Sheathing. Sheath length: About 1.4 cm. Sheath width:            About 1.4 cm. Sheath color: Close to 144B slightly tinged            with close to 146A to 146B.        -   Margin.—Entire; not undulate.        -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth,            glabrous; slightly glossy.        -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.        -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137A            slightly flushed with slightly darker than 191A. Developing            leaves, lower surface: Close to 146B; towards the margins,            close to NN137B to NN137C. Fully expanded leaves, upper            surface: Close to NN137A flushed with slightly darker than            191A; venation, close to NN137A. Fully expanded leaves,            lower surface: Close to 146B; towards the margins, close to            146A; venation, close to 137A.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers            arranged on axillary branched racemes; typically two            inflorescences per plant; each inflorescence with about ten            flowers; flowers face outwardly on arching inflorescences            supported by upright peduncles; flowers with three petals,            two lateral petals and one center petal transformed into a            labellum and three sepals.        -   Fragrance.—None detected.        -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about six months            after planting; plants flower naturally during the winter            into the spring.        -   Flower longevity.—Long flowering period, individual flowers            maintain good substance for about eight weeks on the plant;            flowers not persistent.        -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence            apex).—About 26.9 cm.        -   Inflorescence width.—About 16.4 cm.        -   Flower buds.—Height: About 2.2 cm. Diameter: About 1.6 cm by            2 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate. Color: Close to 145C; upper            surface, distally, tinged with close to N77B.        -   Flower size.—Large, about 8.2 cm (vertical) by 9.1 cm            (horizontal).        -   Flower depth.—About 3 cm.        -   Petals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lateral petals            and one center petal transformed into a labellum.        -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 4.7 cm. Width: About 6.1 cm.            Shape: Lunate to reniform; slightly concave. Apex: Shallowly            retuse to rounded. Margin: Entire. Texture and luster, upper            and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety; matte. Color:            When opening, upper surface: Close to N78D; towards the            base, close to 76A; venation, close to NN78A and NN78B;            finer venation towards the margins and apex. When opening,            lower surface: Close to N75D; towards the base, tinged with            close to 145C; venation, close to 70B; finer venation            towards the margins and apex. Fully opened, upper surface:            Close to between N78C and N78D; towards the margins and            apex, close to 76D; towards the base, close to 84C to            slightly lighter than 84C; venation, close to N78B and            NN78B; finer venation towards the margins and apex; color            does not change with subsequent development. Fully opened,            lower surface: Close to N75C; center and towards the            margins, close to 76D; venation, close to 77B; finer            venation towards the margins and apex; color does not change            with subsequent development.        -   Labella.—Appearance: Three-parted with two lateral lobes and            a central lobe. Length, lateral lobes: About 2.3 cm. Width,            lateral lobes: About 1.6 cm. Length, central lobe: About            3.7 cm. Width, central lobe: About 6 mm to 22 mm. Shape,            lateral lobes: Obovate. Shape, central lobe: Deltoid. Apex,            lateral lobes: Obtuse. Apex, central lobe: Cleft with two            narrow and strongly recurved cirrose tips, about 1.1 cm in            length and about 0.9 mm in width. Margins, lateral lobes:            Entire; coarsely undulate. Margins, central lobe: Entire.            Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous, moderately velvety; matte. Callosities: Located at            the base of the labellum and attachment point of the lateral            petals; about 5 mm in length, about 7 mm in width and about            5 mm in height. Color: When opening, upper surface: Lateral            lobes: Close to N78C; upper margin, close to NN155D;            venation, close to NN78A; towards the base, close to 71A            slightly tinged with close to 12C and with stripes, close to            156C. Central lobe: Close to NN78C; main vein, darker than            NN78A and lateral venation, close to NN78A to NN78B; upper            margin strongly tinged with close to 151C; towards the base,            close to 157A with radial stripes, close to 185A; cirrose            tips, close to NN78A. Callosities: Close to 5D densely            covered with fine dots, close to 185A. When opening, lower            surface: Lateral lobes: Close to N78C; basal margin tinged            with close to 71A; towards the base, close to 156B tinged            with close to 157A. Central lobe: Close to 195A; towards the            margins and apex, close to NN78A and NN78B; towards the            base, close to 84C; at the base, close to 196B; cirrose            tips, close to NN78A. Fully opened, upper surface: Lateral            lobes: Close to N78C; upper margin, close to NN155D; lower            half, close to 71A and with stripes, close to 156C slightly            tinged with close to 13B; venation, close to NN78A. Central            lobe: Close to NN78B; upper margin, strongly tinged with            close to 153A; at the base, close to 157A with radial            stripes, close to 185A; main vein, close to N79C; cirrose            tips, close to NN78A. Callosities: Close to 6D densely            covered with fine dots, close to 185A. Fully opened, lower            surface: Lateral lobes: Close to N78D; basal margin tinged            with close to 71A and upper margin tinged with close to 22A            to 22B; towards the base, close to 156B tinged with close to            157A. Central lobe: Close to 195A; towards the margins,            close to 72A; upper margin, close to 60A; towards the base,            close to 76C; at the base, close to 196B; cirrose tips,            close to NN78A.        -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, one upper dorsal            sepal and two lower lateral sepals. Length, dorsal sepal:            About 4.6 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About 3.4 cm. Length,            lateral sepals: About 4.7 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About            3 cm. Shape, dorsal sepal: Broadly obovate. Shape, lateral            sepals: Ovate. Apex, dorsal sepal: Obtuse to broadly and            bluntly acute. Apex, lateral sepals: Acute. Base, dorsal            sepal: Truncate. Base, lateral sepals: Cuneate. Margin,            dorsal and lateral sepals: Entire. Texture and luster,            dorsal and lateral sepals, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,            glabrous, velvety; matte. Color, dorsal sepal: When opening,            upper surface: Close to N78C; towards the apex and base,            close to 77D; venation, close to N78A; finer venation            towards the margins and apex. When opening, lower surface:            Close to 182C; towards the base, tinged with close to 147D;            venation, close to 183C; finer venation towards the margins            and apex. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to between N78C            and N78D; towards the margins and apex, close to 76C to 76D;            towards the base, close to N75C to N75D; venation, close to            between N78A and N78B; finer venation towards the margins            and apex; color does not change with subsequent development.            Fully opened, lower surface: Close to 77C to 77D; center and            towards the base, tinged with close to 147D; venation, close            to N78B; finer venation towards the margins and apex; color            does not change with subsequent development. Color, lateral            sepals: When opening, upper surface: Close to 76D; lower            half, close to between 150C and 150D with fine dots, close            to 187C; venation, close to N78A; finer venation towards the            margins and apex. When opening, lower surface: Close to            145A; venation, close to 183C; finer venation towards the            margins and apex. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to 77D;            lower half, close to between 146D and 147D with fine dots,            close to 187C; venation, close to N78A; finer venation            towards the margins and apex. Fully opened, lower surface:            Close to 75A; distally tinged with close to 71C; towards the            base, close to 145C; venation, close to 72C; finer venation            towards the margins and apex.        -   Peduncles.—Length: About 51.9 cm. Diameter: About 5 mm.            Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to outwardly arching.            Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to            147A; fine dots, close to 147C to 147D.        -   Pedicels.—Length: About 3.8 cm. Diameter: About 3.25 mm.            Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 55° from peduncle            axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:            Close to 147C; proximally, close to 146B to 146C and            distally, close to 145C to 145D.        -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About 1 cm.            Column width: About 7 mm. Column color: Close to 76C and            distally, close to N75B. Pollinia quantity: Two. Pollinia            diameter (per two pollinia): About 3 mm. Pollinia color:            Close to 23A. Gynoecium: Stigma length: About 4 mm. Stigma            width: About 5 mm. Stigma shape: Reniform. Stigma color:            Close to N155A. Ovary length: About 8 mm. Ovary diameter:            About 1 mm. Ovary color: Close to 145D. Seeds and fruits: To            date, seed and fruit development have not been observed on            plants of the new Phalaenopsis.-   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Phalaenopsis    have not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to    Phalaenopsis plants.-   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been    observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 15° to about    40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘PreciousLove’ as illustrated and described.